Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has been named the most impressive young player in Europe during 2013 – after winning the Golden Boy award.
The award is in its tenth year after being established by Italian newspaper Tuttosport in 2003. Pogba is the first Bianconeri player and first Frenchman to win the award.
The 20-year-old beat out competition from the likes of Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane, Schalke’s Julian Draxler and Paris Saint-Germain’s Marquinhos to claim the prize.
“I’m flattered and proud to receive this prestigious trophy,” he told Tuttosport.
“This has really been a golden year for me, having won the Scudetto for the first time, reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League, won the Under-20 World Cup with France and then being promoted to the senior team by [France national boss Didier] Deschamps.
“I just hope 2014 is the same!”
Pogba said he would not rest on those achievements, and spoke of his desire to reach the pinnacle of the game.
“One day I would like to win everything there is to win. Dreaming is not illegal,” he added.
“However, I’m a down-to-earth guy, and right now I want to win a third title in a row for Juventus.
“The Champions League? We want to progress. We will try with all our might to win it.”
He also discussed his current contract with the champions, which still has another year and a half to run.
“I have had no news about [a contract extension], you’ll have to ask the president, the coach and my agent about that,” he said.
“I am signed with Juve until 2015, so I’m focused on playing well right now. I don’t worry about tomorrow.”
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